Navajo Code Talkers Basket (2002)

Lorraine Black’s Navajo Code Talkers basket honors the Diné (Navajo) marines in World War II who created a code that was never broken. Using Diné words to represent each letter of the English alphabet, they transmitted secret tactical messages with great speed and skill, often in very dangerous situations. At the top of her basket, Lorraine weaves a single man twice to show two aspects of the Code Talkers: Diné tradition, represented by the man with a tsiiyéél (hair bun), and modern military service, represented by the Diné soldier with a helmet. The Yé’ii (Diné gods) around the outer band enclose a ring featuring images of some of the Diné words used in the code. Starting from the left, they spell “Navajo Code Talkers.” These images encircle a colorful depiction of Diné home life. Is the young man in red preparing to leave for military service? At the center is an eagle accompanied by stars and stripes.